Regeneron President Booed At Conference Over Comments Urging Focus On Innovation Before Access

Regeneron President George Yancopoulos got in a screaming match at Milken conference, arguing paying for cures is a secondary problem that should be tackled once such products are developed. He also talked about how he believes tech companies are helping to create some of America’s health crises.

Regeneron CSO and President George Yancopoulos
Regeneron’s Yancopoulos said access and equity are secondary problems when innovation is lacking for disease area. • Source: Milken Institue

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. President and Chief Scientific Officer George Yancopoulos made the case that society needs to prioritize finding cures for diseases over figuring out how to ensure affordability and access. His catchphrase: health care for one before health care for all.

The comments, made on 7 December at the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit, didn’t go over well with the...

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